Have You Been Permanently Disabled or Diagnosed With a Serious Medical Condition? Our Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help You Obtain Benefits
Facing life with a disability is accompanied by no small amount of stress. Many people must adapt their homes and vehicles, as well as adjust their lifestyles. Often, they must depend on the kindness of family members and friends to complete daily activities or get to appointments, and the physical inability to work causes significant financial strain and worry.
In the U.S., the government has sought to help relieve the stress of these issues with the existence of Social Security disability. Enacted in 1938, these legal benefits provide compensation and care for those who are disabled. However, while the government recognizes this struggle, they don’t always make it easy to obtain the benefits. Navigating the Social Security disability application process is filled with complications and pitfalls, and unfortunately, many who are able to complete it on their own are met with a denial. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), only about 32 percent of applications were immediately approved last year.
For those with a disability and their families, Social Security disability benefits can provide care and income that is vital to their financial stability, so it is natural to be worried and overwhelmed facing this process. That is why the legal team at The Injury and Disability Law Center is here to help. From our Roswell office, our lawyers help ensure that every client has the best chance of success, whether you are filing for the first time or if you have already been denied.
What Is Social Security Disability?
Social Security disability is a benefits system that provides medical care and monthly compensation for those who suffer from a disability that requires them to leave the workforce. To be eligible for these benefits, applicants must:
- Have worked in a job that paid into Social Security. Most jobs do pay into Social Security in the U.S. or operate their own similar program. To be eligible for benefits, a disabled person must have earned a certain number of credits based on age. Workers earn credits based on earnings. One credit is equal to $1,320, and workers can earn up to four credits per year. A 50-year-old person would need 28 credits to qualify, which is equivalent to seven years of work earning at least $5,200 per year.
- Be disabled. You must have a disability that prevents you from working as before and makes it impossible to adjust to different work. It is also required that your disability is expected to last at least one year or be likely to result in death. Social Security disability does not offer partial or short-term disability benefits.
Proving Your Injury to Obtain Social Security Disability Benefits
One major factor in obtaining Social Security disability benefits is demonstrating that you are, in fact, disabled and that disability prevents you from working. About 22 percent of applications are denied based on lack of medical evidence.
The Social Security Administration offers a list of certain conditions that automatically qualify, which includes a wide range of conditions affecting many different body systems. Even if your medical issue is not listed, it is still possible to obtain benefits. The administration will examine your case to determine if it is equal in severity to the conditions already on the approved list. In addition, they offer compassionate allowances which quickly approve benefits for those with conditions such as acute leukemia, pancreatic cancer, and more.
Providing details and evidence of your condition are critical, and it is important to remember that the forms cannot be changed once filed. For the best chance of success, every applicant should take care to provide as much compelling and relevant information as possible to give your case reviewers a complete picture of your disability. If your physician will attest that you have a disability that prevents you from working, your chances of getting approved go up.
Our New Mexico Social Security Disability Lawyers in Roswell Take Care of the Details
In addition to insufficient medical evidence, a great many applications are rejected in what is known as a technical denial. A technical denial means that a disabled person was denied benefits not based on medical reasons but because they did not meet some other standard for the program. This could be as simple as incorrect paperwork or involve larger issues, such as high earnings or lack of work experience.
At The Injury and Disability Law Center, our legal team ensures that all the details of your case are handled properly, so you can focus on getting back to your normal life without the worry of lost benefits. While we handle cases at every stage of the process, it’s best to seek legal help right from the start. Our legal team will:
- Gather evidence
- Prepare and file forms
- Answer questions
- State your case at a hearing if necessary
Our attorneys Jeremy Worley and Josh Worley have a combined 25 years’ experience, and we’ve helped more than 1,000 clients seek the benefits they deserve. In addition, we work on a contingency fee agreement, which means we are only paid once your case is successfully resolved. Hiring the right disability attorney can be difficult, especially when there a hundreds of lawyers claiming they can help get you the benefits you need.
Call Our New Mexico Disability Lawyers Today For a Free Consultation
Social Security disability benefits provide vital care and compensation at a time when you and your family need them most. The legal team at The Injury and Disability Law Center understand what an important and stressful time this can be, and that is why we provide modern, personalized service to every client. Our focus on the details and our dedication to effective communication mean you will know the status of your case at all times and receive the attention you deserve.
Call Now (575) 300-4000
If you or someone you love is disabled and in need of Social Security disability benefits, whether you are just getting started or your claim has already been denied, call our office today. You will speak with a member of our staff who can answer your questions and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.